Primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), General government in South Africa

South Africa: Primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), General government was 0.6301 in 2030. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2030)
0.6301
Change on year
up 18.9%
World rank
63rd
of 188 countries
All-time high
3.41
in 2007
All-time low
-5.54
in 2020
Years of data
30
2001–2030

Primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), General government in South Africa, 2001–2030

-6-4-20242001201520302001: 32002: 2.52003: 1.52004: 1.92005: 2.62006: 3.32007: 3.42008: 1.62009: -2.62010: -2.32011: -1.42012: -1.62013: -1.22014: -1.22015: -1.42016: -0.6172017: -0.7622018: -0.3532019: -1.52020: -5.52021: -1.32022: 0.2512023: -0.6312024: -0.6112025: -0.7092026: -0.3512027: 0.0322028: 0.322029: 0.532030: 0.63

Source: International Monetary Fund.

Analysis

The most recent figure for primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), general government in South Africa is 0.6301, measured in 2030.

That represents a change of up 18.9% on the previous year and up 111.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), general government in South Africa peaked at 3.41 in 2007 and was at its lowest, -5.54, in 2020.

That places South Africa 63rd out of 188 countries with data for 2030, putting it in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), General government in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), General government, Percent of GDP in South Africa, 2001 to 2030.
Year Value Change
2001 3.02
2002 2.53 -16.4%
2003 1.52 -40.0%
2004 1.89 +24.3%
2005 2.58 +36.5%
2006 3.26 +26.5%
2007 3.41 +4.8%
2008 1.55 -54.6%
2009 -2.62 -269.1%
2010 -2.28 -12.9%
2011 -1.4 -38.6%
2012 -1.6 +13.8%
2013 -1.25 -21.8%
2014 -1.16 -7.2%
2015 -1.44 +24.3%
2016 -0.6174 -57.1%
2017 -0.7625 +23.5%
2018 -0.3526 -53.8%
2019 -1.51 +327.1%
2020 -5.54 +267.7%
2021 -1.33 -76.0%
2022 0.2511 -118.9%
2023 -0.6312 -351.3%
2024 -0.6112 -3.2%
2025 -0.7094 +16.1%
2026 -0.351 -50.5%
2027 0.0324 -109.2%
2028 0.3201 +887.6%
2029 0.5298 +65.5%
2030 0.6301 +18.9%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 1.9 -2.62 3.41 9
2010s -1.24 -2.28 -0.3526 10
2020s -0.8034 -5.54 0.5298 10
2030s 0.6301 0.6301 0.6301 1

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 60 Belize 0.8619 compare
  2. 61 Portugal 0.6756 compare
  3. 62 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 0.6703 compare
  4. 64 Spain 0.6025 compare
  5. 65 Albania 0.5274 compare
  6. 66 Puerto Rico 0.4896 compare

See the full ranking of 206 places →

More external debt data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), general government in South Africa?
Primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), general government in South Africa was 0.6301 in 2030, according to International Monetary Fund.
What is the highest primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), general government recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 3.41 in 2007.
What is the lowest primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), general government recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was -5.54 in 2020.
How does South Africa rank for primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), general government?
South Africa ranks 63rd out of 188 countries with data for 2030.
Is primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), general government rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 111.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), General government, Percent of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), General government in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 09 September 2026, from https://debt.statizoid.com/stat/primary-net-lending-net-borrowing-general-government-percent-of-gdp/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Primary net lending (+) / net borrowing (-), General government, Percent of GDP
Source
International Monetary Fund
Licence
IMF Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
206 places, 7,312 data points, 1991–2030
Last refreshed

Fiscal Monitor (FM) 2025 October